Self portraits. Which do you like and why?

[serissolutions]

I worked hard today trying to take a decent self portrait.
Please critique and be picky!
These pics are promotional shots for my rock band for the CD cover, website, posters act.


http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Promotional/02.jpg


This lighting was intentional for a dramatic look.
http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Promotional/01.jpg


http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Promotional/06.jpg

[Meghan]

Ok, for me personally i don't like any of them. the pics are missing something.

The first one the pose is good but the facial expression looks to me that your trying to stare down a person which i dont think ya want but maybe.

The second one i like but maybe too dark. I want to be able to see a little more of your face on the left side. (the side thats already lit) just a little more and then i like it. and take your hand out of the back pocket.

The third one is ok but not for what you might use it for. I dont know what kinda rock band you have but it seems a little to...not rock bandish to me. but for other use i like it and add just a little more light would be better.

Theres are all my opinions. I like them but i think theres something missing for what you want to use them for. So hope that helps!!! good luck

Meghan :D

[serissolutions]

Yea I suck at modeling!
To make things worse, its impossible to catch a natural look when taking pics of yourself.
When I shoot models I catch them by suprise and get great shots.
With myself, I just dont know how to look natural.

Any suggestions anyone?

[dandan]

i have one crti.. CHANGE YOUR SHIRT!!!

i mean realy.. it make all the pics look "wrong" to me.. giving me a gay feeling. the last is the best.

and in all the poses.. you dont realy look relaxed.. you look to tight up..

[saltwater]

Uhm... the first two are rather scary and poser'ish - the last one has a nice effect just having highlights of your face - perhaps, if you have trouble with posing, or the "look" you are getting just work with ones looking away. Sometimes looking away can say eons more than actually looking at the camera...

[saltwater]

if its a "rock" band as you say,. it pay pay to have you with your instrument or a mike in and some action going on... rather than just a static self portrait... hope this helps

[charlesu]

I like the last one too.

[neutral]

One the first one, as allready said, it looks like you're trying too hard.

The last one looks nice.

I would suggest having someone help you for a cd cover, instead of trying to shoot self portraits ;)

[serissolutions]

If only Charlesu would take them for me...
Much respect Charlesu!

[serissolutions]

I have to say, I am very very surprised that these pics did not do well.
I am a newbie, only 2 months, and I thought this was great work!
Man goes to show, good things come with time!

I called a band member and asked him to do the next session for me with my camera. I will post those. Hopefully they will be better...

Help! I hate being green!!!

[Bruce Hamilton]

i have one crti.. CHANGE YOUR SHIRT!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[toddb]

Shirt is pretty busy. You have the same problem I have...no hair/background light. The first two your hair just fades into the background. The first two look a bit under esposed as well. The third shot is pretty cool though. Maybe something inbetween on the lighting of the first two. The first looks flat and the second looks too dynamic from highlight to shadow.

LOL, I shouldn't be givine advice, like the blind leading the blind. :P

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

I actually really like the second, but I agree with everyone here for the most part. Need a different shirt, some different lighting, losen up a little bit, and get someone else to do the shooting. It's easier that way.

[exposingmyself]

for inspiration i suggest you look at what's going on now in the rock scene you prefer ie...mags, album covers, newspapers even photography art mags. for me the new york times has lots of great contemporary pics (and it's cheap). can't remember which issue but before the oscars they had photographed some nominees for their mag. of course the pics were high end prof. work but it's good to look at anyways for inspirations. instead of yourself lone in studio shot how about like someone suggested posing with instruments. how 'bout playing with overcast natural light/bw image? how 'bout looking at a fav rocker you like in terms of image. not saying to copy just emulate pose, clothes, scene.

good luck!

[LadyHawk]

I really like the third picture, just bring up the shadows a little more. The hair falling in your face is a nice touch; this plus the dramatic lighting makes the picture "sexy."

[Nabil-A]

if its a "rock" band as you say,. it pay pay to have you with your instrument or a mike in and some action going on... rather than just a static self portrait... hope this helps

Boy oh boy, have you ever picked up a cd cover ? i disagree with the need for a mic or instrument hand held.

[exposingmyself]

Nabil-A, hmmm, you're right about that.

but take my advice lightly. just look at my dopey self portrait.:p

again, look around, study the look you want well and shoot more.

how about going outside (natural light, natural wind blowing your hair) with your leather jacket? that's very rockstarish.

[smittymike19]

well you never siad what type of music you play. If you sing richard marx type tunes then the pictures are dead on. Not being insulting, but really that is what they appear to be. If you are into heavy grunge i would suggest a different style. The pictures should reflect the mood of your music. As sad as it seems image is sometimes more than talent. ever watch american idol? i hate to admit it but i do. and most times the good singers with a bad image get voted out. got to put as much effort into your image as much as you do your music. technically speaking the pics are pretty good (like you thought), the overall feel is somewhat cheesy though.

[OceanRider]

not enought light in first two

[exposingmyself]

OceanRider: you and i must shop at the same place. i have the same wallet tooooooo!

[drisley]

Self portraits are tough. I never do it because my subject isnt very co-operative, and just plain isn't photogenic.
However, there is a member here named laurenn that was produced some wonderful self portraits.

[flyfisher]

Out of the three I like the third.

[Rubbahumpy]

none pangit mo kakatakot ka

[Nabil-A]

pangit mo kakatakot ka

I dont have a clue what you just said, but i agree. :)

[Nabil-A]

pangit mo kakatakot ka

Ill have what your having.:)

[Feihung08]

I have to say, I am very very surprised that these pics did not do well.
I am a newbie, only 2 months, and I thought this was great work!
Man goes to show, good things come with time!

I called a band member and asked him to do the next session for me with my camera. I will post those. Hopefully they will be better...

Help! I hate being green!!!
Well, you did ask for a critique man!
But seriously......
1 = Bad. Bad shirt, bad pose. Stand up straight and take the glare off your face. You don't have to look 'relaxed' but at least look genuinely "confident".
2 = I like the lighting! Again though, bad pose (agreed above to take your hand out of your pocket, and get that half squint glare off your face!).
3 = I like it! But you need to get more of that lit eye in there. And I'm not so sure how "rocker" this is.....looks a little more American Idol pose than rocker.

But don't despair man! You have a much better camera than me and seemingly much better lighting equipment too! So I couldn't even come close to those shots!

[serissolutions]

Wow great comments. I appreciate it.
I have posted new pics with improvements based on your tips.
The pics are not of me, they are of our drummer.

BTW someone asked about the music style, we are like Switchfoot, Evanescence, Story Of The Year, Incubus... Modern rock style band.

Please see my newest post with new pics.

[jfrancho]

I have to say, I am very very surprised that these pics did not do well.
I am a newbie, only 2 months, and I thought this was great work!
Man goes to show, good things come with time!

I called a band member and asked him to do the next session for me with my camera. I will post those. Hopefully they will be better...

Help! I hate being green!!!I think they are awesome, but I like them for the same reasons everyone has criticized. It just strikes me as an ironic stab at pretentious "rock style" - whatever that is. Don't knock yourself too hard, you got skills. I think you should do all of the band shots, the glam is in.